Chondria tumulosa, a newly discovered red alga, was observed in low abundance in 2016 but has since proliferated and is now smothering and decimating vast expanse of coral reefs in Manawai, located in… Read More
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Chondria tumulosa, a newly discovered red alga, was observed in low abundance in 2016 but has since proliferated and is now smothering and decimating vast expanse of coral reefs in Manawai, located in… Read More
Salt marshes provide valuable ecosystem services, including protection from coastal storms, erosion control, carbon sequestration, improved water quality, and ecological diversity. Plum Island Estuary (PIE), the largest salt… Read More
Greenness and land surface temperature (LST) have been extensively correlated to urban public health. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular illnesses have been linked to regions of high LST and areas… Read More
Extreme heat events (EHEs) are one of the leading causes of natural hazard-related deaths in the world. With rising global temperatures, these events will continue to increase in frequency, duration, and magnitude. The urban… Read More
The National Park Service (NPS) currently utilizes an interagency network of in situ aerosol monitoring stations to estimate light extinction and determine visibility across the public lands that it manages. With these well-… Read More
The Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) encompasses 1.5 million acres of public land in the Ozarks region of southeastern Missouri. The industrial boom between the 1880s and 1920s had devastating effects on the shortleaf pine… Read More
Balancing the demands of economic development and environmental protection is a challenge which requires policy-makers to be well informed about the extent and value of key natural ecosystems. Wetlands have long been known to… Read More
Although Cladophora is naturally occurring and nontoxic, the accumulation and decay of this green macroalgae creates salient socioeconomic issues for communities situated along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. When … Read More
The Mississippi River Basin is the fourth largest drainage basin in the world, and is susceptible to multi-level flood events caused by heavy precipitation, snow melt, and changes in water table levels. Conducting flood… Read More
Riparian corridors in the semiarid Colorado River Basin act as an interface between terrestrial and aquatic systems, play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and contribute to controlling… Read More
Estuaries are dynamic environments that provide a host of vital ecosystem services. California’s Marine Life Protection Act protects such ecosystems by creating Marine Protected Areas. California has approximately 440,000… Read More
Light pollution causes measurable damage to natural wildlife behaviors and human health, as well as decreases the ability for humans to view the night sky. The artificial brightening of the night sky, or sky glow,… Read More
The Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) lie between the city of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, California, enduring as a steadfast haven for native vegetation, wildlife, and recreational activities. Both public and private… Read More
Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) were designed to protect and manage areas where desired economic development is in conflict with the needs of threatened and endangered species. Each plan is developed through collaboration… Read More
The Instituto de Conservación Forestal (ICF) in Honduras is in charge of managing and conserving millions of acres of public and privately-owned forest, including the pristine Río Plàtano Biosphere Reserve. Although one of ICF'… Read More
Drought and flooding in Illinois have severe impacts on the communities and ecosystems of the state. Soil moisture is a valuable indicator of drought and flood vulnerability but can be difficult to measure since in situ… Read More
Twenty-three counties in Kenya experience frequent drought, which damages agricultural productivity and threatens the health and wellbeing of millions. NASA DEVELOP partnered with NASA SERVIR, the Regional Centre for Mapping… Read More
The magnitude and timing of forest disturbances have implications for global carbon cycles and forest ecosystem recovery. The carbon stored in central Idaho forests makes up a significant part of the overall carbon… Read More
Riparian plant communities are vital to water quality, erosion control, biodiversity, and functionality of river ecosystems. The invasion of nonnative Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) poses a risk to these fragile… Read More
The Osa Peninsula, located in the southern region of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, is one of the most biologically-diverse places on Earth and a popular ecotourism destination. Previous work through NASA DEVELOP showed positive… Read More